Hike of the Week: Storm King
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| Enjoy breathtaking views of Lake Crescent from the Storm King |
Storm King
Calming views of Lake Crescent from the Storm King
by Craig Romano
photo by Craig Romano
produced by Michael Fagin
August 17, 2007
Quick Facts
Location: Lake Crescent, North Olympic Peninsula
Land Agency: Olympic National Park
Roundtrip: 3.8 miles
Elevation gain: 1,700 feet
Contact: Olympic National Park Wilderness Information Center (360) 565-3100; http://www.nps.gov/olym/
Green Trails Maps: Lake Crescent, WA- No 101
Access: From Port Angeles, follow US 101 west for 20 miles to the Marymere Falls Trailhead at Barnes Point. Turn right proceeding to a large parking area. Trail begins on Marymere Falls Nature Trail near the Storm King Rangers Station.
Notes: Dogs prohibited.
From the popular Marymere Falls Nature Trail head off on a short and steep trail to a couple of ledges providing eagle eye viewing of Lake Crescent. From these rocky vertigo-inducing perches you can peer straight down to the deep-blue calming waters of one of the Olympic Peninsula’s most famous landmarks. While short, this trail is not easy. It heads up Storm King with a vengeance. And while not particularly dangerous, the ledges are exposed and there is some steep rock; so exercise caution.
Start off on the well-groomed and trodden Marymere Falls Nature Trail. After a delightful half mile under big trees and along bubbling Barnes Creek come to the Storm King Trail at a giant boulder.
Under a canopy of ancient trees waste no time ascending. The trail works its way up a hogback decorated with madrona and salal. As you continue to climb, the terrain becomes drier and rocky. Start late on a sunny summer day and you may be feeling the heat on this one. However, Storm King makes for a nice late afternoon grunt when refreshing breezes whisk up from the lake.
As you rise above the Barnes Creek Valley and busy Highway 101, the crash of rushing water and the hum of zooming traffic fills the air. After 1.4 miles which feels more like three, arriving at a series of lake-viewing ledges. Sparkling Lake Crescent lies directly below. Pointy Pyramid Mountain hovers above the emerald jewel. Savor this splendid scenery and bask in the sunshine, or carry on if you desire. A second viewpoint can be reached in another half mile and 400 more vertical feet. The lake is hidden from this lookout ledge, but the deep and wide verdant Barnes Creek Valley is fully revealed.
The trail officially ends here but a scramble path continues. Experienced and equipped hikers may want to carry on farther to more Lake Crescent views. But the tread deteriorates and the way becomes increasingly exposed.
For information on lodging and other attractions near Storm King Lookout visit
Click here for link to Olympic Pennsula
